Cellulosic Ethanol from Corn Stover (Ammonia Conditioning)

Products

Ethanol. Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, may work as a solvent, a germicide, a fuel, and as a chemical intermediate for other organic chemicals. Currently, ethanol is mostly produced via fermentation of sugars, which can be obtained from crops, such as sugarcane and starch. However by relying on the sugar and starch content of food crops, ethanol production competes with food production. Therefore, recent research focus on the use of low-value raw materials, often deemed “waste”, to produce ethanol. That low-value feed can be biomass of lignocellulosic material found in wood, sugarcane bagasse and grain crop stubbles, or can be carbon monoxide found in waste gas streams from a range of industries. Lignocellulosic biomass could represent a new fermentable raw material if hydrolysis of this material is performed. Technological advances in this reaction still need to be achieved in order to make it economically feasible and render this usage of the agricultural residues competitive with respect to others, such as heat generation by burn.

Electricity. Electricity is a versatile energy source utilized across various sectors, including manufacturing, transportation, and residential applications. It serves as the driving force for machinery, lighting, and electronic devices, and is increasingly employed in electrochemical processes and the production of hydrogen through electrolysis. Generated from renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydro, as well as fossil fuels and nuclear power, electricity plays a critical role in advancing sustainable energy solutions and enhancing efficiency in industrial operations.

Raw Material

Corn Stover. Corn Stover consists of the leaves, stalks, and cobs remaining after corn is harvested. It is utilized as animal feed, biomass for energy production, and as a raw material for biofuel and bioproducts. Collected from fields post-harvest, corn stover is typically stored in bales. Its use in cellulosic ethanol production contributes to renewable energy efforts and adds value to agricultural residues.